Abbas dismisses PA general intelligence chief

New appointments in Palestinian security apparatus aimed at increasing efficiency, rejuvenating leadership. New general intelligence chief is said to be current Military Intelligence Chief Majd Farji

Ali Waked|Published: 09.15.09 , 15:14

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has
dismissed Palestinian General Intelligence Chief Mohammad Abu Assam, who replaced the former General Intelligence Chief Toufik Tiravi. Abbas intends to announce the appointment of the current Military Intelligence Chief Majd Farji in his place, according to information received by Ynet on Tuesday.

It is still unclear who will replace Farji as military intelligence chief. Palestinian Authority sources told Ynet that changes were also due to take place within the Palestinian Preventive Security Service leadership, adding that the organization's commander, Ziad Hab al-Rih, may also end his term in the near future.

Abbas' associates claim the aim of these appointment rotations is to rejuvenate the leadership of the Palestinian security apparatus and to retire veteran officers in order to increase professional and economic efficiency within the security apparatus.

Reports about appointment swaps brought back past speculations regarding Abbas' plan to unify the Palestinian Preventive Security Service and the General Intelligence Service, a plan which was never executed due to tensions between the two factions and disagreements among the organizations' leadership. According to speculations, Farji may be appointed the new leader of the joint apparatus.